Dental floss and method of making same

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed to an improved dental floss and a method of making it. The improved dental floss comprises a plurality of fibers, e.g., nylon fiber bonded by a non-wax coating and in which there is dispersed various therapeutic agents which are active to remove the bacteria media that promotes bacterial growth about the teeth and mouth. The disclosure is also directed to a method for forming such dental floss in a manner which permits various therapeutic agents to be simultaneously bonded in the coating of the fibers.

United States Patent Dragan Nov. 13, 1973 [5 DENTAL FLOSS AND METHOD OF2,381,142 8/1945 Stonehill 132/89 MAKING SAME Prima Examiner-Louis G.Mancene 76 1 1 1 W11 1 nven or T z g gf g zf No AssistantExaminer-Gregory E. McNerll Attorney-Arthur T. Fattibene [22] Filed: May8, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 251,241 [57] ABSTRACT This disclosure isdirected to an improved dental floss s2 U.S. c1. 132/89 and a methdmaking The hhpmved dental 51 1111. c1. A61c 15/00 a plurality fibersfiber hhded [58] Field of Search 132/89 90 91' by a and which isdispersed 1, various therapeutic agents which are active to remove thebacteria media that promotes bacterial growth [56] References Cited 2about the teeth and mouth. The disclosure is also di- UNITED E- PATENTSrected to a method for forming such' dental floss in a manner whichpermits various therapeutic agents to a gf be simultaneously bonded inthe coating of the fibers. U er l74,619 6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures3/1876 Clark, Jr. 132/89 DENTAL FLOSS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME PROBLEMAND PRIOR ART Research has indicated that tooth decay and dental diseaseis readily attributed to bacterial action resulting from the formationof plaque about the teeth and/or the entrapment of food particlesbetween the teeth and interstices formed therebetween. Conventional careof the teeth by brushing has been found to be an inadequate means foreffectingthe removal of entrapped food particles from some creviceswhich may exist between the teeth in certain instances and/or toeffectivelyremove the plaque by which the bacteria adheres to the teeth.

To supplement conventional brushing, resort has been frequently made tothe use of dental floss which is rendered more effective than brushingin removing plaque and/or the stubbornly entrapped food particles fromcrevices which are inaccessible to ordinary brushing. However, mostprior known dental floss comprised essentially of fibers bonded by a waxcoating, e.g., a beeswax, petroleum wax and the like. However, researchhas shown that the wax with which such dental floss has been coatedformed a media which is conducive to bacteria growth and development.While such floss effectively removed the entrapped food particles,portions of the wax coating invariably remained to pro vide the foodrequirements for bacterial action, and thereby greatly nullified theeffectiveness thereof.

Efforts have also been made to incorporate various agents in the coatingof such floss to further enhance oral hygiene. However, such agents havebeen restricted to a'dentriflce to assist in neutralizing or bufferingthe acidity found within the mouth, and/or to provide an antisepticaction. Some of the known efforts to improve dental floss directedtoward the ends for added oral hygiene are evidence by U. S. LettersPat. Nos. 1,069,874; 2,748,781; 2,700,636 and 2,772,205.

OBJECTS It is an object of this invention to provide an improveddentalfloss and method of forming the same that is rendered more effective inthe removal of plaque and thereby results in minimized bacterial actionwithin the mouth and resulting tooth decay.

Another object is to provide an improved dental floss having a non-waxcoating in which there is incorporated a polishing agent to assist inthe removal of plaque and entrapped food particles from the teeth.

Another object is to provide a method for forming the improved dentalfloss wherein the addition of one or more therapeutic agents may besimultaneously bonded in a non-wax coating thereof.

Another object is to provide an improved dental flosswhich is enhancedby a pleasant flavoring.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects and other featuresand advantages are attained by a dental floss formed of a plurality offibers, preferably nylon, formed by doubling and which are looselybonded by a non-wax coating which has dispersed therein a polishingagent,.e.g., a zirconium silicate and/or a therapeutic agent orflavoring matter.

The dental floss is formed of a plurality of nylon fibers coated orbonded by an alcohol soluble nylon in which there is dispersed a dentalgrade polishing agent such a zirconium silicate and/or a therapeutic orflavoring agent.

FEATURES A feature of this invention resides in the provision of animproved dental floss formed of fibers loosely bonded by a nonwaxcoating having dispersed therein a polishing agent which enhances theremoval of plaque formation on teeth.

Another feature resides in a readily simple and inexpensive method bywhich the improved dental floss embodying the invention may be made. I

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawing and specification in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a dental floss embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an apparatus by which thedental floss may be formed.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a dental floss construction 10embodying the present invention. The dental floss comprises a pluralityof either natural or man-made fibers 11 which are bonded or coated witha coating 12 of a non-wax substance. Preferably the fibers 11 are formedof a nylon filament or thread and are combined to form floss bydoubling; i.e., by a process in which the threads are not twisted. Thefibers thus formed in floss by doubling are then subjected to or pulledthrough a bath 13 of an alcohol soluble nylon to which there has beenadded a suitable polishing agent, e.g., a dental grade zirconiumsilicate. The alcohol soluble nylon which may be used as the coatingmaterial is of a type manufactured by E. I. DuPont, also known asElvamide 8061. It will be understood that other dental grade polishingagents may also be used in place of the zirconium silicate. For example,the polishing agent may comprise a tin oxide, pumice stone powder andother suitable dental grade polishing agents.

To facilitate the passage of the floss 10 through the coating bathsuitable guide rollers 14 extend transversely of the tub 15 over whichthe floss is guided in passing through the bath 13. Accordingly therespective fibers 11 are coated by the soluble alcohol coating andpolishing agent dispersed therethrough,

In passing from the bath 13 the coated floss may be passed betweenrollers 16 which function to impart a squeegee action on the floss 10 toeffect the removal of any excess coating material. Thereafter the coatedfloss is directed through a hot air dryer 17 where the alcohol solventsin the bonding solution 13 are removed by evaporation. The floss 10 thusformed comprises loosely bonded fibers having a non-wax coating withparticles of a polishing agent dispersed along the length of the floss10.

In use, the dental floss 10 so formed is effective in removing theplaque and any particles of food which may be stubbornly entrappedbetween the teeth; without a residue of wax being left which would serveas a media for the growth and development of bacteria.

To enhance the therapeutic effect of the dental floss, the coatingthereof may also be impregnated with various dental grade fluorides,e.g. stanous fluoride. Also a pleasing flavoring may be imparted to thefloss by including in the coating thereof suitable essential oilflavorings, e.g., cherry, lemon, orange, etc. The therapeutic agents canbe readily embedded or incorporated in the coating of the floss bydispersing the selected agents in the bath 13.

Therefore in forming the bath 13 the various therapeutic ingredients canbe added thereto to formulate a desired coating mixture to include anycombination thereof. With the coating mixture so formed, the fibersmaking up the floss can be readily pulled through the bath 13, thefibers being coated thereby as hereinbefore described. The surpluscoating of the bath 13 is removed from the fibers by passing betweensqueegees or squeegee rollers.

A dental floss formed in the manner herein described exhibits a smoothfilm-like surface which is essentially uninterrupted and sufficientlyresilient so as to be capable of freely flexing in use. The polishingagent imbedded in the coating enhances the removal of plaque when used.

It will be understood that various ingredients may be used in varyingcombinations and/or proportions, whereby the selected ingredients can bereadily incorporated into the coating by a single application or pass ofthe fibers through the bath.

While the instant invention has been described with respect to aparticular embodiment thereof, variations and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and/or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A dental floss comprising:

a plurality of nylon fibers,

an alcohol soluble nylon binder coating said fibers to loosely form saidfibers into a mono-like filament,

and a polishing agent dispersed along said fibers and adhered thereto bysaid binder coating.

2. A dental floss as defined in claim 1 and including stanous fluoridedispersed along said fibers.

3. A dental floss as defined in claim 1 and including a flavoringessential oil impregnated into said coating.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said polishing agent iszirconium silicate.

5. A dental floss comprising:

a plurality of fibers,

a non-wax coating comprising alcohol soluble nylon for loosely bondingsaid fibers, and a therapeutic material incorporated in said coating.

6. A method of forming dental floss comprising the steps of:

forming a cord of a plurality of fibers by doubling,

forming a bath of alcohol soluble nylon having a dental grade polishingagent dispersedtherein,

passing said formed cord through said bath,

and drying said cord upon removing said cord from said bath whereby theparticles of said polishing agent remain adhered to said cord, and saidfibers being loosely bonded in said cord.

2. A dental floss as defined in claim 1 and including stanous fluoridedispersed along said fibers.
 3. A dental floss as defined in claim 1 andincluding a flavoring essential oil impregnated into said coating. 4.The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said polishing agent iszirconium silicate.
 5. A dental floss comprising: a plurality of fibers,a non-wax coating comprising alcohol soluble nylon for loosely bondingsaid fibers, and a therapeutic material incorporated in said coating. 6.A method of forming dental floss comprising the steps of: forming a cordof a plurality of fibers by doubling, forming a bath of alcohol solublenylon having a dental grade polishing agent dispersed therein, passingsaid formed cord through said bath, and drying said cord upon removingsaid cord from said bath whereby the particles of said polishing agentremain adhered to said cord, and said fibers being loosely bonded insaid cord.